Lights Flicker And Fade : Kol Mikaelson [3]

271: Coming Home Was A Mistake

DECEMBER 25th, 2014

"I feel like a bit of an idiot," Ryan admitted, "MJ told me Winter was your favourite season, so I thought I'd call on Christmas, but I probably should've started on Thanksgiving?"

Ryan Jung had expected to max-out Kol's voicemail a lot sooner, and he really hoped the fact that he hadn't was because Kol was listening, then deleting, and not because he had someone hired to clear his inbox...Hired was probably the wrong word.

"We don't really celebrate it properly, but if it means you pop-by, we'll start."

They always hosted some form of Thanksgiving so the kids didn't feel left out at school, and Rena was American, so had grown up with it, but still...it only felt normal when they did it with the Carlin's, and even that didn't feel quite right anymore. Not when he knew Kol was out there, probably alone, and probably eating something else entirely.

"I don't really know what qualifies as the start of Winter – so I looked up Viking Yule, and that's the solstice, so happy Yule? I'm only a few days off."

Trying to sound light-hearted was tough.

"Chinese New Year is the 19th of Feb, is you're interested?"

Silence.

"Know that you're welcome," Ryan closed his eyes, "I've said it before, but I don't think you got it, given the ring..."

He winced, worried that might be the line that made Kol stop listening.

"...And considering how you'd promised to be here when I got back."

Ryan hadn't mentioned that part in any of his previous messages.

"I don't like not knowing where you are."

M.I.A. since Davina's August run-in.

"I know you're probably doing it because you think staying away keeps me safe," He breathed out slowly, "But I keep trying to poke my 'neighbours,' and it's slightly embarrassing that they're compelled to reject my baked bribes."

Ryan was sitting on the stairs in the front foyer of his house, phone to his ear, the noise of freshly opened toys clear. It was dark outside, and the littlest kids were in bed, Mati rocking Spencer on her lap, while her husband helped Rena with the last of the dishes.

"Alice and JJ liked their 'from Santa' presents."

Another pause.

"I know they were from you – I googled where you'd buy them!" He leant into the stair banister, "...I hope Iceland was nice?"

What was he doing?

"I'm really worried, Kol."

Of course, he was.

"I need to know that you're okay," Ryan was trying for optimism, "And if you don't want me to know you're okay, well..."

A long and conflicted sigh.

"Merry Christmas."

How do you keep things casual with your almost-son-in-law as he travelled the world trying to resurrect your daughter?

"And if I don't see you, Happy New Year," Ryan words turned faster, "And please come home in February, I...I really need to see your face..."

Then, he hung up.

"Um," Sam leant against the steps on the other side of the railing, "Has Kol ever actually answered?"

He was wearing a light blue Christmas jumper, the knitted pattern depicting Santa Claus riding a dinosaur, surrounding by snowflakes and reindeers. Ryan wasn't sure how long he'd been standing there, but the timing didn't matter – he would've been able to hear from anywhere in the house. Anywhere but MJ's old room...